Reducing ping-pong Handover effects in intra EUTRA networks

The ping-pong Handover (HO) in LTE is one of the most crucial problems which decrease the performance of the Handover. The impact of ping-pong HO on inter eNB handover in LTE networks is investigated. An object of the present work is to provide a mean for reducing the probability of ping-pong HOs in intra E-UTRA networks. A novel HO algorithm, based on keeping the old path between the source eNB and SGW/MME during the ping-pong movement and delaying the completion HO part, is presented. Simulation results of the proposed algorithm using TRIAS tool -supported with NS2 simulator- showed that the rate of ping-pong handover can be reduced and, consequently, the handover quality indicator increased. Results suggest that optimal timer value should be chosen carefully to reduce the probability of ping-pong HO and at the same time keep the dropped calls rate at lowest levels.